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Staying focused: Paris Saint-Germain take on Montpellier in final Ligue 1 clash of 2014

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Staying focused: Paris Saint-Germain take on Montpellier in final Ligue 1 clash of 2014
DEC 18, 2014 LISTEN

With PSG's main title rivals facing tough tests this weekend, PSG could move to the top of the table with a win over ninth-placed Montpellier on Saturday.

Marseille lead the French top flight with 38 points, one ahead of PSG, while Lyon are third on 36 ahead of the final round of the season before the winter break.

Traditional powerhouse Lille will travel to Marseille on Sunday after ending their winless run last week, while Lyon will visit fifth-placed Bordeaux.

Those match-ups could see Marseille and Lyon drop points and, if they do, PSG coach Laurent Blanc is confident his team will have already taken advantage the day before.

Having lost their previous two games in all competitions to Barcelona and Guingamp, PSG came from behind on Wednesday to defeat Ajaccio and advance to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue with Edinson Cavani, Serge Aurier and Jean-Christophe Bahebeck scoring for Blanc's men.

"After two defeats in five days, it's a good thing to have fought back," Blanc said after the match.

"I think we could have scored more goals this evening but Ajaccio gave it their best shot so congratulations to them."

Both Marseille and PSG missed the opportunity to gain an advantage on the other last week with Guingamp stunning the reigning champions 1-0, while Marcelo Bielsa's leaders went down by the same scoreline at Monaco.

After playing against both Barcelona and Guingamp, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left out against Ajaccio as he continues his recovery from a heel injury but in a boost for Blanc, Cavani hit his 13th goal of the season in all competitions.

The Uruguayan striker has done well in Ibrahimovic's absence and is PSG's leading scorer in all competitions.

Montpellier will travel to the capital in average form with just three wins in their past 11 matches.

Rolland Courbis' side gave up a two-goal lead in their 3-3 draw with Lens last week, while they have lost three of four matches against the top five teams so far this season.

Montpellier's one win against the leading contenders came in round two when they stunned Marseille 2-0.

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